November 16, 2016

Can’t use OSA to remove parliamentary immunity, Speaker told

Federal lawmakers are guaranteed protection for their speeches in Parliament even if they disclose confidential information while in the House, an Opposition MP alleged today.

Parti Amanah Negara legislator Hanipah Maidin claimed the authorities have no right to act against MPs for their parliamentary speeches, unless it was deemed to be seditious.

“But OSA cannot be used on MPs who speak in Parliament because the exception is only for those related to the Sedition Act,” the Sepang MP told a news conference in the Parliament lobby here, using the abbreviation for the Official Secrets Act 1972.

Several Opposition lawmakers criticised Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia who had earlier said it was for the courts to decide if the parliamentary immunity was absolute.

Both Hanipah and DAP MP Chong Chien Jen accused Pandikar of passing the buck on the issue, which they claimed had led to the recent police inquiry against three lawmakers after they spoke on matters related to 1 Malaysia Development Berhad in the lower House.

Pandikar had previously said discussion of the sovereign investment fund would be sub judice due to ongoing investigations although outside the country.